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Penn State students riot after Paterno's firing

Penn State students flip a television news van during a riot after it was announced that Joe Paterno would no longer be head coach of Penn State Football on Wednesday.

The Associated Press

BBy Adam Clark and Andrew McGillThe Morning Call, Allentown, Pa.

Published: Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 8:20 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 8:20 a.m.

Chanting "We want Joe" and damaging three lampposts and parked vehicles, Penn State students flooded into downtown State College late Wednesday to protest the university board of trustees' decision to fire football coach Joe Paterno.

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At least two young women were hospitalized, one who got gasoline in her eyes after a TV van was pushed over, and another who was hit by an object thrown from a balcony.

Police would not confirm making arrests, but at least one person was seen being taken into custody.

Students crowded by the hundreds into the area of the borough known as Beaver Canyon, where students in 2008 rioted after a victory over Ohio State. In addition to their cheers for Paterno, they shouted "We are Penn State" and "One more game."

"The board of trustees has no loyalty," read sign held by one student. "We will not be quiet." Police were out in riot gear.

A lamppost was ripped down about 11:30 p.m. Police later reported two others were pushed down. Officers attempted to guide students back onto the sidewalks, but then a local TV station's van was tipped over. A car also was overturned. Students rushed the CNN van, but police turned them away.

Students also crowded outside of Old Main, Penn State's landmark building, prompting police to issue a 12:30 a.m. order in a university text alert: "Everyone must evacuate both areas immediately."

As students lingered in the downtown streets, police began spraying the crowd with what was believed to be mace. Most of the students had dispersed by the police deadline.

Police officers said they had not been forewarned of the trustees' decision to remove Paterno, announced at 10 p.m.

A small crowd gathered at Paterno's house after the announcement. Some placed flowers outside. Police blocked vehicle access to the street.

Sue Paterno, the coach's wife, came out crying and said Joe was going to bed. A minute later he came out and briefly addressed the small crowd. Later, assistant coach Galen Hall left the residence and said, "He's holding up, he's holding up fine."

Freshman student Alex Strohl said he ran to Paterno's house from his dorm.

Paterno had said Wednesday morning that he planned to retire at the end of the season. He said the board of trustees shouldn't spend time worrying about how to handle the head coaching position. But the trustees acted anyway, announcing Paterno no longer was head coach and university President Graham Spanier had resigned.

The decision came on the heels of a sexual abuse scandal involving former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.

"These decisions were made after careful deliberations and in the best interest of the university as a whole," said John P. Surma, vice chairman of the board of trustees. "Penn State has always strived for honesty, integrity and the highest moral standards in all of our acitivites. We promise you that we are committed to restoring public trust to our university."

Surma said he hoped that students and alumni would agree that the trustees made the best decision.

Defensive coordinator Tom Bradley will be the interim head coach when Penn State plays the season's last home game Saturday against Nebraska. Surma said the university did not discuss with Paterno whether he could attend the game.

"This is all crazy," tweeted freshman cornerback Adrian Amos at about 12:30 a.m. "All we can do is pray and play."

<p>Chanting "We want Joe" and damaging three lampposts and parked vehicles, Penn State students flooded into downtown State College late Wednesday to protest the university board of trustees' decision to fire football coach Joe Paterno.</p><p>At least two young women were hospitalized, one who got gasoline in her eyes after a TV van was pushed over, and another who was hit by an object thrown from a balcony.</p><p>Police would not confirm making arrests, but at least one person was seen being taken into custody.</p><p>Students crowded by the hundreds into the area of the borough known as Beaver Canyon, where students in 2008 rioted after a victory over Ohio State. In addition to their cheers for Paterno, they shouted "We are Penn State" and "One more game."</p><p>"The board of trustees has no loyalty," read sign held by one student. "We will not be quiet." Police were out in riot gear.</p><p>A lamppost was ripped down about 11:30 p.m. Police later reported two others were pushed down. Officers attempted to guide students back onto the sidewalks, but then a local TV station's van was tipped over. A car also was overturned. Students rushed the CNN van, but police turned them away.</p><p>Students also crowded outside of Old Main, Penn State's landmark building, prompting police to issue a 12:30 a.m. order in a university text alert: "Everyone must evacuate both areas immediately."</p><p>As students lingered in the downtown streets, police began spraying the crowd with what was believed to be mace. Most of the students had dispersed by the police deadline.</p><p>Police officers said they had not been forewarned of the trustees' decision to remove Paterno, announced at 10 p.m.</p><p>A small crowd gathered at Paterno's house after the announcement. Some placed flowers outside. Police blocked vehicle access to the street.</p><p>Sue Paterno, the coach's wife, came out crying and said Joe was going to bed. A minute later he came out and briefly addressed the small crowd. Later, assistant coach Galen Hall left the residence and said, "He's holding up, he's holding up fine."</p><p>Freshman student Alex Strohl said he ran to Paterno's house from his dorm.</p><p>"It's time to honor Joe, not to riot," Strohl said.</p><p>Senior linebacker Nate Stupar took to Twitter, tweeting "I'm kinda upset I don't get to shake JoePa's hand on my senior day."</p><p>Paterno had said Wednesday morning that he planned to retire at the end of the season. He said the board of trustees shouldn't spend time worrying about how to handle the head coaching position. But the trustees acted anyway, announcing Paterno no longer was head coach and university President Graham Spanier had resigned.</p><p>The decision came on the heels of a sexual abuse scandal involving former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.</p><p>"These decisions were made after careful deliberations and in the best interest of the university as a whole," said John P. Surma, vice chairman of the board of trustees. "Penn State has always strived for honesty, integrity and the highest moral standards in all of our acitivites. We promise you that we are committed to restoring public trust to our university."</p><p>Surma said he hoped that students and alumni would agree that the trustees made the best decision.</p><p>Defensive coordinator Tom Bradley will be the interim head coach when Penn State plays the season's last home game Saturday against Nebraska. Surma said the university did not discuss with Paterno whether he could attend the game.</p><p>"This is all crazy," tweeted freshman cornerback Adrian Amos at about 12:30 a.m. "All we can do is pray and play."</p>